Flexible drainage systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Drainage devices, systems, kits, and methods are provided. The drainage devices, systems, kits, and methods include a drainage device having first and second sheet having drainage features provided on the first and second sheets. The first sheet is parallel to at least a portion of the second sheet. Fabric covers at least a portion of the first sheet and the second sheet.

REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and any other benefit of prior U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/592,102 filed on Jul. 29, 2004, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Foundation drainage is an important aspect of protecting buildings fromintrusion by water. Many foundation drainage systems employ tile andgravel disposed near the foundation in order to provide foundationdrainage. However, tile and gravel systems can cause problems such asdelivery scheduling conflicts, excess tile or gravel on the jobsite, andimpacts from installation of the tile or gravel. Thus, there remains aneed in the art for improved foundation drainage systems and methods.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, devices forproviding drainage are provided. The devices can comprise a first sheethaving first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on atleast one of the first and second faces, a second sheet having first andsecond faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of thefirst and second faces, and fabric covering at least a portion of thefirst sheet and the second sheet. The drainage features of the first andsecond sheet are disposed to provide a water transport area. The firstsheet is disposed such that at least a portion of one of the first orsecond faces is parallel to at least a portion of one of the first orsecond faces of the second sheet.

In accordance additional embodiments of the present invention, methodsfor providing drainage are provided. The methods can comprise providinga drainage device and installing the drainage device proximate to and afooter of a foundation of a building, such that the drainage deviceprovides a water transport area that directs water to a desired area.The drainage device comprises a first sheet having first and secondfaces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first andsecond faces, a second sheet having first and second faces and at leastone drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces, andfabric covering at least a portion of the first sheet and the secondsheet. The first sheet is disposed such that at least a portion of oneof the first or second faces is parallel to at least a portion of one ofthe first or second faces of the second sheet.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, kits forproviding drainage are provided. The kits can comprise at least oneinsulation board and at least one drainage device. The at least onedrainage device can comprise a first sheet having first and second facesand at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first andsecond faces, a second sheet having first and second faces and at leastone drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces, andfabric covering at least a portion of the first and second sheets. Thefirst sheet is disposed such that at least a portion of one of the firstor second faces is parallel to at least a portion of one of the first orsecond faces of the second sheet. The at least one insulation board andthe at least one drainage device are disposed for installing on abuilding foundation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of embodiments of the presentinvention can be best understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a drainage system in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a section of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of a drainage assembly in a bentconfiguration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a section of FIG. 1 or FIG. 8 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of a drainage assembly in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views of a portion of a drainage assembly inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a drainage system in accordance with otherembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of a section of FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 10-12 are plan views of portions of drainage assemblies inaccordance with other embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described with occasional reference tothe specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however,be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are providedso that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused in the description of the invention and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to drainage assemblies, drainage systems,and drainage kits. In particular, the present invention relates toflexible drainage assemblies, drainage systems, drainage kits, andmethods of providing drainage to building foundations.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, a drainage system 10 incorporating adrain assembly 12 is illustrated. The drainage system 10 may be used onany suitable building foundation having any suitable configuration. Thedrainage system has a drain assembly 12 as discussed herein.Additionally, the system 10 may incorporate other waterproofing ordamp-proofing of foundations. For example, a waterproof membrane 14 canbe installed on a foundation wall 16. Any suitable waterproof membrane14 may be used. For example, the membrane 14 can be an elastomericspray-on polymer modified asphalt membrane such as a TUFF-N-DRI®membrane available from Tremco Barrier Solutions, Inc.

In addition, the system 10 can incorporate insulation and drainageboards 18 installed on the foundation wall 16. The drainage boards 18can collect water to be drained via the drainage assembly 12. Anysuitable drainage boards 18 can be used. For example, the drainageboards 18 may be WARM-N-DRI® Foundation Board available from OwensCorning. It will be understood that any suitable foundationwaterproofing methods may be used in conjunction with the drainassemblies of the present invention. It will be further understood thatthe drain assemblies of the present invention may be used without anyother systems.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, one embodiment of a drain assemblyis illustrated. The drain assembly 12 has a portion 20. The portion 20has a first sheet 22 having drainage features 24 and a second sheet 26having drainage features 28. The first sheet 22 has a first face 21 anda second face 23, and one of the first or second faces 21, 23 has thedrainage features 24 provided thereon. The second sheet 26 has a firstface 25 and a second face 27, and one of the first or second faces 21,23 has the drainage features 28 provided thereon. The first sheet 22 andthe second sheet 26 are disposed such that at least a portion of one ofthe first or second faces 21, 23 of the first sheet 22 is parallel to atleast a portion of one of the first or second faces 25, 27 of the secondsheet 26. Additionally, the drain assembly 12 has fabric 32 providedover at least a portion of the first and second sheets 22, 26.

The drainage features 24, 28 may be any suitable drainage features. Inone example, the drainage features 24, 28 are dimples in the first sheet22 or second sheet 26. The dimples 24, 28 may be of any suitabledimension and shape. For example, the dimples 24, 28 may be conical,pointed, or rounded dimples. The first sheet 22 and the second sheet 26may be of any suitable material. For example, the first sheet 22 and thesecond sheet 26 may be a plastic sheet used in strip drain applicationsthat contains drainage features 24, 28. The first sheet 22 and thesecond sheet 26 can comprise separate sheets. Alternatively, the firstsheet 22 and the second sheet 26 can comprise a single sheet that isbent to provide the appropriate configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention, the portion 20 has a separator sheet 30 that is disposedbetween the first sheet 22 and the second sheet 26. The separator sheet30 may be any suitable sheet having any suitable dimensions. In oneexample, the separator sheet 30 may be a plastic sheet. In one example,the drainage features 24 on the first sheet can be dimples disposed suchthat the first sheet 22 first face 23 has depressions and the firstsheet 22 second face 25 has corresponding protrusions. The drainagefeatures 28 on the second sheet 26 can be dimples disposed such that thesecond sheet 26 first face 25 has depressions and the second sheet 26second face 27 has corresponding protrusions. The first sheet 22 can bedisposed such that the second face 23 is parallel to the separator sheet30. Thus, the protrusions of the dimples 24 are disposed toward theseparator sheet 30. Similarly, the second sheet 26 can be disposed suchthat the second face 27 is parallel to the separator sheet 30.Therefore, the protrusions of the dimples 28 are disposed toward theseparator sheet 30.

In one example, the first sheet 22 and/or the second sheet 26 can besecured to the separator sheet 30 in any suitable manner. For example,the first sheet 22 can be glued to the separator sheet, and the secondsheet 26 is not secured to the separator sheet 30. Alternatively, thefirst sheet 22 is not secured to the separator sheet 30, and the secondsheet 26 can be glued to the separator sheet 30. In another example, theseparator sheet 30 is not secured to the first sheet 22 or the secondsheet 26. In accordance with one embodiment, the first sheet 22 and thesecond sheet 26 can have holes (not shown) to allow water to flow fromthe first faces 21, 25 of the sheets 22, 26 to the second faces 23, 27of the sheets 22, 26 or vice versa.

The portion 20 has fabric 32 disposed around the first sheet 22, secondsheet 26, and the separator sheet 30. The fabric 32 can be a singlesheet of fabric or more than one sheet of fabric. The fabric 32 may beany suitable fabric that can allow water to flow through the fabric 32while restricting at least some soil and/or other particulate fromcontacting the first sheet 22 and/or the second sheet 26. For example,the fabric 32 may be a non-woven, needle-punched polypropylene filterfabric or any other suitable strip-drain type fabric. The fabric 32 maybe secured to the first sheet 22 or the second sheet 26 in any suitablelocation in any suitable manner. For example, the fabric 32 can be gluedto the first sheet 22 and the second sheet 26 in various locations. Thefabric 32 is generally secured to the first sheet 22 and/or the secondsheet 26 somewhat loosely so that the first sheet 22 and the secondsheet 26 can bend easily in any desired direction.

The portion 20 provides a drain area with a large water transportcross-section. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the portion 20may be bent so that the portion 20 can be installed around corners, suchas foundation corners, without impeding water flow. The separator sheet30 prevents the fabric 32 or the dimples 24, 28 from impeding the flowpath of water from traveling along the portion 20, as shown in FIG. 3.Therefore, the portion 20 provides a drainage area that can be installedaround inside or outside corners without requiring additional steps toensure water flow. It will be understood that the drainage assembly 12can have a portion 20 of any suitable size. It will be furtherunderstood that the drainage assembly 12 can be entirely comprised of aportion 20. The portion 20 can be installed on a building or buildingfoundation in any desired manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, alternative embodiments of the portion20 having expansion features are illustrated. The first sheet 22 hasfirst and second side edges 70, 72 and first and second top edges 74,76. Additionally, the first sheet 22 has an expansion feature 78. Forpurposes of describing and defining the present invention, the term“expansion feature” shall be understood as referring to any feature thatallows a sheet to expand or contract when the sheet is handled orrolled.

It will be understood that any suitable expansion feature 78 can beemployed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a v-shaped hinge 78 canbe provided in the sheet 22. In another example, as illustrated in FIG.7 a perforation 78 can be provided. The perforation 78 is generallyprovided in the sheet 22 such that the assembly 12 can be assembled withthe edges of the perforation remaining in contact, and the perforation78 can be disposed to tear upon rolling of the assembly 12.

The expansion feature 78 can be provided on the sheet 22 in any suitablemanner. For example, the expansion feature 78 can be disposed to runbetween the first and second sides 70, 72 of the first sheet 22.Alternatively, the expansion feature 78 can be disposed to run betweenthe top and bottom edges 74, 76 of the first sheet 78. Generally, theexpansion feature 78 is disposed on the first sheet 22 such that theassembly 12 can be rolled with the first sheet 22 on the outside of theroll so that the expansion feature 78 can expand to accommodate thesecond sheet 26. In another example, the first sheet 22 and the secondsheet 26 can be provided with expansion features 78.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, additional alternative embodiments of theportion 20 are illustrated. In this embodiment, the portion 20 does nothave a separator sheet 30. Instead, the first face 21 of the first sheet22 is parallel and adjacent to the first face 25 of the second sheet 26.In one example, the first face 21 of the first sheet 22 is in contactwith the first face 25 of the second sheet 26. The first sheet 22 andthe second sheet 26 have drainage features 24, 28. In one example, thedrainage features 24 on the first sheet can be dimples disposed suchthat the first sheet 22 first face 23 has depressions and the firstsheet 22 second face 25 has corresponding protrusions. The drainagefeatures 28 on the second sheet 26 can be dimples disposed such that thesecond sheet 26 first face 25 has depressions and the second sheet 26second face 27 has corresponding protrusions. Therefore, the drainagefeatures 24, 28 are disposed such that the drainage features 24, 28extend in opposite directions.

The first sheet 22 and the second sheet 26 can have openings 90 providedsuch that water can flow from the first face 21, 25 to the second face23, 27 of the first or second sheet 22, 26. The openings 90 can be ofany suitable shape. For example, the openings 90 can be slot shaped orcircular. In one example, the first sheet 22 has a plurality of theopenings 90 and second sheet 26 has a plurality of the openings 90. Morethan one of the plurality of openings 90 in the first sheet 22 can bealigned with an associated opening in the second sheet 26 such thatwater can flow from the first sheet 22 second face 23 to the secondsheet 26 second face 27.

In one example, the openings 90 in the first sheet 22 can be slotshaped, and the openings 90 in the second sheet 26 can be slot shaped.The slot shaped openings 90 can be disposed on the sheets 22, 26 in anysuitable manner. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the slots 90 can bedisposed such that the slots are normal to a side edge 72 of the firstsheet 22 and a side edge 84 of the second sheet 26. Alternatively,referring to FIG. 11, the slots 90 can be disposed such that the slots90 are parallel to a side edge 72 of the first sheet 22 and a side edge84 of the second sheet 26. This parallel or normal slot 90 configurationprovides increased tolerance to vertical or horizontal misalignment ofthe first sheet 22 with the second sheet 26, because the slots 90 can besomewhat misaligned without impeding water flow between the second face23 of the first sheet 22 and the second face 27 of the second sheet 26.

In another alternative, referring the FIG. 12, the slots 90 can bedisposed such that the slots project diagonally across the sheets 22, 26in relation to a side edge 72 of the first sheet or a side edge 84 ofthe second sheet 26. This diagonal slot 90 configuration providesincreased to vertical and horizontal misalignment of the first sheet 22with the second sheet 26.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the portion 20 may be disposed toprovide drainage from the top 34 of a building footer 36 down the side38 of the footer 36 to any desired depth. The portion 20 may be used inconjunction with any suitable strip-drain type fittings, such asstrip-drain pipes, in order to direct water flow to a desired locationin the drainage system 10. The portion 20 may be bent around the cornersof the footer 36 without impeding water flow down the footer 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention, the drainage assembly 12 may further have a secondportion 40. The second portion 40 and can comprise a single sheet 44having drainage features 46 at least partially covered by fabric 32, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In one example, the second portion 40 is fullycovered by fabric 32. The second portion 40 very flexible because asingle sheet 44 is used. The drainage features 46 can be any suitabledrainage features, such as dimples as discussed herein. The fabric 32may be provided as a continuous sheet of fabric that extends from theportion 20. Alternatively, the fabric 32 may be provided in as manypieces as suitable. The fabric 32 may be secured to the second portion40 at any suitable location. The fabric 32 is generally very looselysecured to the second portion 40 to allow the second portion 40 to bendas needed. The second portion 40 may be a separate sheet or a continuoussheet. Additionally, the portion 20 and the second portion 40 mayprovided as separate sheets, a continuous sheet, or some of the portions20, 40, may be separate sheets while some are continuous sheets.

The second portion 40 can be disposed to provide a drainage path fromthe foundation wall 16 along the top 34 of the footer 36. The fabric 32can be glued or otherwise secured to the second portion 40 proximate tolocation 48 and location 50 to form a pocket in which portion 20 can besecured.

The second portion can be further provided on the foundation wall 16 orover any waterproofing or drainage systems, such as the board 18 asshown. The second portion 40 may be installed with the drainage features46, such as dimples, pointing toward the drainage board 18 if it ispresent to provide collection of water along the board 18.Alternatively, the second portion 40 can be installed with the drainagefeatures 44, such as dimples, pointing away from the foundation wall 16to maximize water collection. The second portion 40 can be of anysuitable dimensions and can be installed to any desired height on abuilding.

The drainage assembly 12 having portions 20, 40 can provide drainagefrom a foundation wall 16 down the footer 36. The drainage assembly 12can further provide a connection between the foundation wall 16 to alower level continuous drainage area (not shown) below or beside thefooter 36. The drainage assembly 12 does not require the use oftraditional gravel and tile drainage systems. The drainage assembly 12can be used alone or conjunction with other waterproofing or drainagesystems for buildings. The drainage assembly 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 8 can provide a lower water transport area via portion 20 thantraditional strip-drain type assemblies because water transport isprovided along the side of the footer 36 in connection with a watercollection area 40 above the footer 36. Additionally, the watercollection area on the foundation wall 16 via portions 40 is flexible.

It will be understood that the drainage assembly 12 of the presentinvention is not limited to having the portions or dimensionsillustrated. For example, the drainage assembly 12 can entirely comprisea portion 20 that can be installed from the side 38 of a footer 36 allthe way up the foundation wall 16. Alternatively, the drainage assembly12 can have a portion 20 that can be installed partially up a foundationwall 16 with a portion 40 providing drainage further up a foundationwall 16.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges may be made without departing from the scope of the invention,which is not to be considered limited to what is described in thespecification.

1. A device for providing drainage, comprising: a first sheet having first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces; a second sheet having first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces, wherein the drainage features of the first and second sheets are disposed to provide a water transport area; and wherein the first sheet is disposed such that at least a portion of one of the first or second faces is parallel to at least a portion of one of the first or second faces of the second sheet; and fabric covering at least a portion of the first sheet and the second sheet.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first sheet has a bottom edge and the second sheet has a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom edge of the first sheet is contiguous with the bottom edge of the second sheet.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the first sheet has a top and bottom edge; the second sheet has a top and bottom edge; the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a first portion; and the device further comprises a second portion comprising at least one sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, first and second faces, and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces wherein: the drainage features are disposed to provide a water collection surface; the fabric is disposed to cover at least a portion of the first and second portions; and the bottom edge of the at least one sheet of the second portion is proximate to the top edges of the first sheet and the second sheet.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one piece of fabric covers the first portion and the second portion.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second portion comprises a single sheet.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second portion comprises more than one sheet.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first sheet drainage features comprise dimples disposed such that the first sheet first face has depressions and the first sheet second face has corresponding protrusions, and wherein the second sheet drainage features comprise dimples disposed such that the second sheet first face has depressions and the second sheet second face has corresponding protrusions.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first sheet first face is disposed parallel to and adjacent to the second sheet first face.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first sheet first face is in contact with the second sheet first face.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein: the first sheet has at least one opening formed such that water can flow from the first face to the second face; the second sheet has at least one opening formed such that water can flow from the first face to the second face; and the first sheet opening and the second sheet opening are aligned such that water can flow from the first sheet second face to the second sheet second face.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first sheet has a plurality of openings and the second sheet has a plurality of openings, and wherein more than one of the plurality of openings in the first sheet is aligned with an associated opening in the second sheet.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the plurality of openings in the first sheet are slot shaped, and wherein the plurality of openings in the second sheet are slot shaped.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a separator sheet disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first sheet second face is adjacent to a first face of the separator sheet, and wherein the second sheet second face is adjacent to a second face of the separator sheet.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first sheet has at least one hole provided such that water can flow from the first face of the first sheet to the second face of the first sheet, and wherein the second sheet has at least one hole provided such that water can flow from the first face of the second sheet to the second face of the second sheet.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first sheet has at least one expansion feature.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the expansion feature is selected from one of a perforation and a v-shaped expansion hinge.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first sheet has first and second side edges and top and bottom edges, and wherein the expansion feature is disposed across the first sheet between the first edge and the second edge.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first sheet has first and second side edges and top and bottom edges, and wherein the expansion feature is disposed across the first sheet between the top and bottom edges.
 20. The device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the second sheet has at least one expansion feature.
 21. A method for providing drainage, comprising: providing a drainage device comprising: a first sheet having first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces; a second sheet having first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces, wherein the first sheet is disposed such that at least a portion of one of the first or second faces is parallel to at least a portion of one of the first or second faces of the second sheet; and fabric covering at least a portion of the first sheet and the second sheet; and installing the drainage device proximate to a footer of a foundation of a building, such that the drainage device provides a water transport area that directs water to a desired area.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of providing a drainage device further comprises providing a drainage device wherein: the first sheet has a top and bottom edge; the second sheet has a top and bottom edge; the first sheet and the second sheet comprise a first portion; the device further comprises a second portion comprising at least one sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, first and second faces, and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces wherein: the drainage features on the second portion are disposed to provide a water collection surface; the fabric is disposed to cover at least a portion of the first and second portions; and the bottom edge of the at least one sheet of the second portion is proximate to the top edges of the first sheet and the second sheet; and wherein the step of installing the drainage device further comprises placing the second portion along the top of the footer of the foundation and placing the third portion along the wall of the foundation.
 23. A kit for providing drainage, comprising: at least one insulation board; and at least one drainage device comprising: a first sheet having first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces; a second sheet having first and second faces and at least one drainage feature on at least one of the first and second faces, wherein the first sheet is disposed such that at least a portion of one of the first or second faces is parallel to at least a portion of one of the first or second faces of the second sheet; and fabric covering at least a portion of the first sheet and the second sheet; wherein the at least one insulation board and the at least one drainage device are disposed for installing on a building foundation. 